Can-filling machine



J. SCHMIDT, JR. CAN FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12, 1918.

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Patented May 18, 1920.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR WITNESS J. SCHMIDT, JR. CAN FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 1AN.12. 191a.

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A TTORNEYQ WITNESS J. SCHMIDT, JR. CAN FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12. 1918.

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' CAN-FILLING- MACHINE.

Specification of- Letters Patent. 'Patented May 18, 1920,

Application filed January 12, 1918. Serial No. 211,645.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN SCHMIDT, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can- Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates toa filling machine wherein the "empty cans are continuously received, filledfand transported thereafter directly to a soldering machine, and while it is adapted to fill the cans with soup, the

are very well suited to fill cans with other commodities. This can filling machine is designed to receive'the soup in its finally prepared form in a reservoir therein and to pass the soup therefrom into measuring devices capable of being varied as to capacity, and the filling material into the cans, all of said operations being timed and cooperating with each other and with a can which isxpositioned to receive the filling material. Should no can be present, improved means are included to prevent the soup or other material from being discharged.

One object of my invention is to produce a simplified form of can filling machine wherein the number of parts is reduced to the ultimate minimum, and in which the moving parts maintain their direction of motion without reversal'th'ereof.

Another object of my invention to be described is to provide such a relative position and contact of moving parts that the wear incident to the necessary movement serves to grind said tact.

Still another object of my invention is to produce a can filling machine in which leakage from the receptacles and conveying parts into more intimate con- 7 passages is substantially absent.

Another object of my invention is to reduce. thenumber of parts necessary to actuate the can filling machine itself by utilizing the power and rotary motion present in the can moving worm of a can sealing machine to which machine the can filling machine which I have invented is connected,

and with which it coacts tosupply the filled cans to be sealed.

An additional object of my. invention is to produce-a self adjusting self grinding cut off valve which shall so conform itself "under the condition of practice that its double seat and its contacting surfaces shall bear-and wear upon each other so that substantially no space shall exist therebetween, thereby preventing the passage, with subse:

quent leakage, of the material which fills the can.

A'further object of my invention is to obtain a means for controlling the position tion of power, thus avoiding a multiplicity of points of application of power for-various purposes.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and relating thereto, Figure 1 is a a view in elevation, partly in fragmentary section showing the moving parts mounted in the supporting frame, Fig. 2 is a plan view on section line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of a preferred form of cut off valve actuating mechanism; Fig.

4 is a side elevation taken on line' 44 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section of a measuring device and cut off valve mechanism; Figs. 6 and 7 are detail sections of different sized removable nozzles for the cut ofi valve outlet; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary I vertical section of the can withdrawing mechanism; and Fig. '9 'is a plan view of a modified cut off valve actuating mechanism.

Inthe drawings there isshown a frame to support and retain in place the operative parts of themachine and those parts connected therewith-to be described, which con-- sists of vertical members 1, 1; a horizontal member 2 fastened at'each end to the top of the frame members 1, 1, and extending from one to the other thereof; and a spider frame 3 connected at each of its leg extremities 4 to adjacent parts of the frame 1 near the bottom thereof. The frames 1, 1 at each side of the machine are formed of cast metal in this case having a right angle cross section and comprising a horizontal portion which joins the feet of the slanting sides of the frame, and similar cross bars intermediate the feet and the top of the frames. The top is not formed into a pointed upper extremity but is formed so as to receive in place the top member 2.

Acting with the vertical frames 1, '1, the horizontal top frame 2 and the horizontal spider 3 serve to form aframe carrying the moving parts and maintaining them in cooperative relation.

The top frame 2 for the most part is of T cross section, however at the ends and center its form is altered for special reasons. At each end the frame is shaped in the form of a knee of which the horizontal part5 rests upon the upper surface of the of the cross bar adjacent the frames.

closed.

located in the center of plate 12 and proframe 1, while the vertical portion 6 of the knee is provided with an aperture through which the bolt 7 extends and thus fastens.

frames 1, 1 and 2 together. At the center of its length the conformation of the top frame 2 is such as to form the vertical cylindrical flange or boss 8 surrounding the aperture 8" through which the bearing members and shaft, later to'be described, pass.

The spider 3 is for the most part of a V-shaped cross section with a suitable disposition of metal at the ends. of the arms 4 7 so that bolts 9, 9 may be threaded thereinto after passing through suitable holes in the frames 1, 1. Reference to Fig. 2 shows the arms 4 of the spider 3 so conformed as to unite about the vertical shaft as shown and .provide a suitable housing 10 for the lower extends across slightly above the feet of the frames near the widest part of the frames to serve as a tie member in the frames. A horizontal member 86 is also inserted in the frames higher up to receive the brackets 87.

The housing 10 in the spider 3'is drilled and tapped on its lower edge to receive the tap bolts 11 passing through the head 12, whereby the lower end of the housing is The stud 13 with lock nut 14 is vides adjustable means for positioning the ball 15 placed within the housing 10 and forming a step bearing for the vertical shaft 22. The interior surface of the housing is carefully turned to dimension so as to form a bearing for-the shaft 22 and fixed in place above the spider 3 is the bearing collar 16 is the depending cylindrical portion'19 of drical surface 8 which is dimensioned to receive therein the upper cylindrical end 18 of the out off plate 35. .Within the part 18 y cap 20, which is connected to the crosspiece 2 by the studs 20. The cylindrical portion 19 is machined inside so as to serve as a bearing for the shaft 22. This bearing is alined with the coiip'eratin step bearing at the lower extremity of the, s aft.

Extending along and between the depend-' ing cylindrical portion 19 of cap 20 and the sleeve portion 18 of the cut off plate 35 at diametrically opposite points, are two keys 21 which extend loosely into keyways in the adjacent parts and thereby prevent the cut off plate 35 from rotating. I

Extending from the bearing inside the cap 20 into the bearing in the spider 3 is'the vertical power shaft 22 to which .rotary motion is transmitted from the horizontal power shaft 126 which carries fastened thereto the small bevel gear 23 in'mesh with large-bevel gear 24 which may befast on the vertical shaft 22, or fast to the rotary table 25 which in turn is keyed 'or otherwise fastened to the shaft 22.

Just above the table 25 is a collar 26 from which project four arms 27 which connect with a rim 28 of form shown provided with pockets 28 for cans 80, the action'of which will later be described. The table and the collar are both fast to the shaft 22 thus r0 tating together and with said shaft;

Above the collar 26 and fastened by way of a hub 34' to the shaft 22 by a key 29in a keyway 30 in shaft 22 is a receptacle or. reservoirf31 for soup or the like, which comprises a'bottoln 32, a cylindrical inner wall 33, and a cylindrical outer wall 34 all inte gral and rotating with the shaft 22. Depending from the bottom 32 are small measuring devices 4:3, in this case four, whose function will later be described.

Just above the reservoir 31 is located the upper cylindrical portion 18 of the cut off plate 35, which comprises at its lower portion the cut ofi plate proper 36 which is connected to the sleeve portion 18 by the cylindrical portion 37 and the portion 38.

The part 36 of the cut off plate 35 is-carefully fitted into a recess 39 in the bottom 32 of the reservoir 31 and its vertical and lower horizontal faces neatly fit the corresponding portions of the .bottom 32- of the reservoir 31. There is a neat fit also between the vertical portion 37 of the out 01f plate and the cylindrical portion 33 of the reservoir 31. -As the cut oif'plate is care- COIIBS.

fully positioned, there is little contact and incident wear between the parts 37 and 33, but between the horizontal *parts 31 and 32 there may be some wear which results in a grinding to a closer fit of the adjacent parts.

Such wear, therefore, cannot spoil the fit between the cut off plate and the reservoir because the cut off plate by reason of its weight maintains itself in contact with the bottom of the reservoir. As the key 21 does not tightly fit in the keyway 21', the cut oif ln order to pass the soup or like material I from the reservoir 31 through the part 36 of the cut off plate 35, an aperture 40 best shown in Fig. 2 is provided. The action of the cut oil plate is therefore to permit the soup 0 material to be canned to pass through the cut ofi' plate and into contact with the surface of bottom 32 only at one place. Further, only at this one location can the soup continue its downward trav el through one of the apertures 32 in the bottom 32 into the measuring device 43 below.

Passing through the bottom 32 of the reservoir are four openings 32' and 90 apart. By means of flanges 41 with suit-- able bolts passing therethrough, the measuring devices 43 are fastened to the bottom 32 of the reservoir 31. The measuring defvices are shaped like hollow frustra of At one side of each is. carried a boss 44, threaded internally to receive the screwed plug members 45 which carries a star shaped rim thereon for contact with and turning by the hand of an operator. By varying the position of the plug the volume of the measuring device 43 is changed as will be obvious.

At the lower end of the measuring device the casting extends to one side in the form of a circular plate 47. At the center of the circular plate is a hub portion 49 centrally apertured. Through this aperture 50 is extended the stud 51 threaded at its upper end at 52. Upon the threaded portion are placed the lock nuts 53, 53 to be adjusted in the customary manner. Between the lower lock nut 53 and the upper surface of the hub 49 a stout spring 67 is interposed closely encircling stud 51. Said stud 51 has thereon an integral collar 54 neatly fitting a cylindrical recess 55 in the hub 49 and by means of said collar fitting neatly, in recess 55 and said stud. 51 fitting equally well in the aperture 50 the stud is maintained erect, the stud and collar 54 sliding within the contiguous surfaces but capable of preventing leakage.

Any other suitable form of means may be used to perform the functions described in connection with the arrangement of stud 51 and I, therefore, do not wish to limit myself to the particular meansshown. r

Extending from the plates 47 and are the diametrically positioned lugs 48 and 66 and .extending therethrough are the bolts 68 with lock nuts 53, 53, threaded upon the top.

Between the lowermost of the nuts 53', 53', and the lug 48 are the coiled springs 67, 67, which may be tensioned asdesired to hold the plates 47, 56 and 65 in co-active position and with such pressure thereon that there shall be no leakage therebetween as the force of the spring is transmitted through the head of the stud 68 to the lower.

plate 65, and thereby forces the surface of the adjacent plates into close contact.

Below the plate 47 is a circular plate in vertical alinement, with holes 69 therein,

valve 56 with an aperture 57 being provided about said aperture 57 with a sleeve 58 which fits neatly in a corresponding recess 59 in plate 47. On the periphery of said clrcular plate valve 56 are several detents 60 the use of which will be later described, there being six shown in the present construction. Arranged. in. a circle about the center of the plate valve 56 are three circular openings 61 of the same diameter as the exit opening 62 with which the openings 61 at times coiiperate as will later appear.

The upper surface of the plate valve 56 is dished at 63 to receive with neat fit the correspondingly projecting lower portion 64 of the plate 47. The valve'56 may be made of bronze or. like metal to advantage, or it .may well be made of steel. As'this part 56 is subject to considerable wear, it is necessary to employ a metal of such density as to accommodate the incident wear and at the. same time maintain a smooth continuous surface.

Below the valve 56 is another plate member 65 with two lugs 66, .66 thereon at diametrically opposite points on the periphery thereof. These lugs a-reprovided with holes 69 through which the bolts68 pass. Corresponding holes 69 are present in the lugs 48 of the plate 47, andabove the lugs 48 are placed the springs 67 and the nuts wardly through the plate valve 56 to the collar 54 on the stud 51, contacting therewith and held firmly thereon by the spring of their co-action with the top .of the sleeve 72 and the collar 54 which are contiguous throughout on their contacting surfaces.

In this manner the plate 65 and stud 51 are maintained in position as if integral and thus move vertically together.

At one side of the center of plate 65 is the stepped circular aperture 75 which is concentric with the aperture 61 and the opening 62 in the bottom of the measuring device 13. Removably positioned in the aperture 73 is the nozzle 76. The nozzle is exteriorly stepped to fit into the steps of the aperture 75 and has therethrough the tapered exit passage 77. The lower exterior portion is suitably tapered at 78. It is evident that a set of nozzles may be. made similar to 76 having the same exterior dimensions at the stepped portion and provided interiorly with a desired tapered passage of the designed capacity as shown in .Fi s. 6 and 7-.

eferring to Fig. 3 it will be noted that the plate valve 56 has therein three apertures 61 symmetrically. placed and from the above statements itwill be seen that as'they are repeatedly brought under the exit opening 62 of the measuring device a passage through plates 56 and 65 will be provided.

- Between the apertures 61 there are spaces 79 which being solid prevent the passage from the measuring device through the nozzle 7 6 and below to a can when they are positioned under the orifice 62 of themeasure.

As stated heretofore the detent teeth are suitably positioned on the periphery of the plate 56, and when the detent 60 is passed into contact with a suitable dog'112 or other similar projection the plate 56 is turned on the stud 51 as an axis. The contact between the detent and the dog is so timed that when made the opening 61 is either under orifice 62 or a solid portion of plate valve 56 is thereunder. Vhen closed, the orifice 62 cannot discharge the contents of the measuring device under the action of gravity, the contrary being true when openings 61, 62 and 77- coincide. The plate valve 56 through action of the detents 60 may thus rotate between the plates 47 and 65, and

any wear incident to said intermittent rotation is taken up byreason of the action ofv the springs 67 and 67 which force the studs carrying said springs upwardly and draw the plate up against the plate 56, and plate 56 against plate 47. Under these conditions the plate 56 wears itself true and maintains the surface of the contiguous plates 47, 56 and 65 true and very smooth. Particularly is this so for the reason that the rotation of the plate 56 is always in one direction.

charge of soup or like material therefrom,

it is necessary to consider the manipulation of the containers for the material used in the machine under consideration.

The containers 80, in this case tin cans, are delivered, while empty, without the caps or tops thereon, through and by a chute 81 which has ahorizontal portion 82in the same plane as the rotating table 25. Before the cans reach the level portion '82 they travel downward by force of gravity through a vertical portion of the chute not shown. During their passage through the vertical portion of the chute 81 and thereafter while on the level portion. 82 thereof, the cans are in close contact with each other and those behind force the .forward ones across the level portion and into contact with the vertical sides of the'rim 28 on the arms 27.

As shown in Fig. 3 the rim 28 has a portion 83 in the form of a circle whose center is at the center of the upright shaft 22. The outer surface of the rim is of the same circumference as that of the table 25 and consequently as the level portion 82 of the chute extends to the table 25, and as the rim 28 is raised a suitable distance above the table 25, the forward can 80 is held in contact with the portion 83 in the interval of rotation of table 25, when portion83 is adjacent thelevel portion; of the chute. Vhile this contact continues, the cans are prevented from moving forward in the chute at 82.

At the oortion 84 the rim 28 is curved in- Wardly and at 85 it isreversely curved or outwardly to join the circular portion 83 of the rim 28 forming the pocket 28. By reason of the form of the curves 84 and 85 a can 80 can gradually progress onto the table 25 always in contact with a portion of the rim 28 at 84 and 85, and be firmly held by the pocket 28', entirely on the table 25 and be carried by the pocket 28. As the same action-occurs in connection withsut Y ceeding cans. As here shown, the rim 'is formed with four portions 84 and 85 but the rim is not limited to this number of parts.

. the table to the point where the discharge thereinto from the measuring device is commenced. At this point means are present to turn the valve 56 so that one of its apertures 61 coincides with-the exit opening 62 of the measuring device. Means are presented to contact with the detent 60 so that as it is carried with the connected mechanism rotating with the driving shaft 22 the path of the detents 60 shall be intercepted by a relatively stationary projection or dog 112 for a suitable period so as to fully open the discharge passage from the measuring device. The mechanism controlling the position of the dog 112 will now be described.

Upon the side frame 1 extending from front to back is the horizontal frame member 86. It should be noted here that the same mechanism is provided on each side frame. connection with the action of closing the passage from the measuring device. A bracket 87 is fastened to frame member 86 by the bolts 88 passing through suitable holes in bracket 87 into threaded holes in frame 86.- Extending from the bracket 87 is the arm 89 which'is formed at its end remote from the frame with an enlarged end which is apertured to receive the stud 90. The stud serves to carry a double star wheel, the larger one being 91 and the smaller one being 92. The star wheels may be formed of the same piece or fastened to eachother in order to move together and on' the same axis. It should be noted that the points of the stars of the large wheel are not co-radial with those of the smaller star wheel 92 which are behind the points of the large star wheel in accordance with a timed rela tion therebetween. a

The points 93 of the large star wheel extend over the rotating table 25 and consequently contact with and are moved by a can moving on the table 25 and pushed by the pocket 28' of the rim 28. Thus as the can advances the points 93 are alternately struck by the can '80, moved thereby, and later slip off of the can which action is repeated by succeeding cans on the following points of the star wheel.

This rotation of the large star wheel carries with it the small "star wheel, which with the large star wheel, is shown in extreme positions by the full and dotted lines.

Contacting, with the points of the small star wheel is the roller 94 mounted on the The second one will be considered in l a slot 99 which receives the stud 100 located at the end of the lever 101 which forms with vertical shaft 102 and lever 109 a bell crank lever 109'. The vertical shaft is carried by the arm 103 through which it passes, which is extended from the bracket 87. As levers 101 and 109 are fast to shaft 102, the motion of 101 is communicated to .109.

A spring 104 is fastened at one end by insertion of its end portion105 into a suitable hole 106 in lever 109, its other end portion 107 being fastened to a pintle 108. The ac tion of the spring on lever 109 is to throw the end of lever 101 carr ing stud 100 away from the bracket 87 an thereby force the lever 95 away from the bracket 87 and thus maintain the roller 9* onv the small star wheel 92 and in contact with the star wheel and its points 92. On the other hand, the action of the points" of the small star wheel when in contact witli'the roller 91 is to force its lever toward the bracket 87 and thus through the action of the stud 100 in the slot 99 to force the lever 101 to move about its pivot 102 and throw the end with the stud 100 toward the bracket 87, thus distending the spring and forcing the lever 109 away from the bracket 87. This action and the resulting position of parts is shown by the full line drawing while the foregoing action of the spring is shown bythe p'arts in dotted lines.

The lever 109 acts as a dog to contact with tating on the pivot stud 111, the dog proper' being at 112.

Reference to. Fig. 1 will show that the large star wheel 91 islocated in a plane just below the planefof the lower edge of the rim 28 while the lever 95 is slightly above the plane of the large star wheel 91. The lever 101 is placed below the lever 95 so as to support one end thereof and the vertical shaft 102 extends upwardly and receives one end of the lever 109 which is in the plane of the cut off" valve 56. The end of lever 109 is shaped to contact with the plate 56 and its 'detents 60 with which it is brought into conwheel 92 on the roller 94 on the lever 95, I

which takes a position so as to move the lever 101 toward the bracket 87and thus move around with the reservoir and measuring device and by means of the lip 115 whose inner surface is suitably formed picks up the roller 110 if slightly out of place and forces it into the channel 116. Thus the dog 112 is forced against the edge of plate 56 and later when detent 60 has advanced the dog and detent are held together until the clip has entirely passed the dog 112 at about which time the roller 96has passed off the point 92. of the small star wheel'92 and is in contact with the surface'of the wheel 92 While the parts are in 'thisposition the spring 104 acts to draw the dog 112 into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3.

.Should no can be presented to the large star wheel 91to move it, it is evident that the foregoing action will not occur and therefore the plate 56 will remain unmoved and the contents of the measuring device will not be discharged. The star wheel and connected parts just described may very well be termed a no can no fill device.

It is apparent thatthe dog 112 and detent 60 meet at a practically fixed point in the travel of the measuring device and the rotary valve 56 about the vertical axis. Hence the contents of the measuring device 43 commence to leave it on their downward passage at this point. In order to prevent the formation of a partial vacuum above the contents connection is made with the atmosphere' through the vent pipes 117 which are attached to the fixed cut off plate 36. The vent pipes 117 are located in tlie cut off plate in spaced relation so that, just before the measure is emptied, connection shall be made through the first pipe with theatmosphere. The space above the measure, even before emptying, is, therefore, at atmospheric pressure. \Vhen the measure has reached the point at which discharge is made, another pipe 117' is acting and later still when the measure has continued fur-'- ther, the second pipe and the third pipe will be connected to the space above the By this means a sudden connection with the atmosphere is done away with and the contents of the measure gradually start downward Without the slop and splash incident toa sudden connection of the space above the measure with the atmosphere. In

addition the period of discharge without the action of a partial vacuum is extended so that practically all'of the contents are neatly discharged without sudden movement .or

holding "of part of the contents in the measure.

As the can 80 is carried on the table the measuring device continues in connection therewith so that by dripping the remaining portions of the contents may pass into the can. This part of the filling action continues for approximately a half rotation of the can 80 on the table'25. Located on the left frame, as shown in Fig. 1, is the same star wheel. construction controlling a dog 112 as has been described for opening the disk valve 56. The dog 112 contacts with the succeeding detent 60 and moves the disk valve 56a sixth of a revolution and moves the aperture 61 away from the aperture 62 in the measuring device, the motion being sufficient to wver the exit 62 with a continuous portion of the disk 56 and thus close the exit 62. i Inasmuch as-the movement of all of the parts at the left of the machine shown in Fig. 1 controlling the closing of the opening 61 are the same as those fully described in connection with the parts shown at the right of Fig. 1, it is deemed necessary only to draw the distinction between the final results thereof. That is to say, while at the right'the valve plate 56 is moved so as to permit the discharge of the contents of the measure into the can and leave the parts in the discharge'condition, atjthe left the action is to further rotate the plate 56 and move an opening 61 out of register with the adjacent openings and a blank portion of the plate 56 between the adjacent openings. The no can no fill arrangement works similarly also and prevents the dog 11:2 from moving the valve plate 56 when no can is present. Thus, the measure is ready for filling after passing the mechanism at the left.

\Vhen the plate 56 takes the new position the measure is ready to be refilled and so it is continued in its rotation until the contents of the reservoir 31 are discharged thereinto with and pushed along the inner end 118 of the guide bar 120, which is formed with the straight portion following the slightly curved portion 118, and with the curved portion 119 which merges into the straight away portion of the. bar.

The action .of the guide bar is to gradually vremove the can' 80 from its place on the table 25 in contact with the pocket 28' which pushes the can until another agency supplies a movlng force for the can.

The combined action of. the guide bar 120 and the pocket 28 is to move the can into position to contact with the outer vertical edge of the rim 28 in which position'the can 80 is entirely removed from the table 25 for the reason that the outer rim of the table is of the same circumference as the outer vertical edge of the rim 28.

As the bottom of the can 80 moves off the surface of the table 25 it contacts with the surface of the cylinder 121 whose upper element is on the same level as the top surface of the table 25. The cylinder 121 has disposed about it the worm 122 which is drawn to a point 123 at the inner end 125 of the cylinder 121. i The rotation of the point 123 is so timed with the rotation of the table 25, or better with one fourth of a rotation there.-

of that it sweeps behind the can 80 at the time that the rearmost point of the edge of the can is entirely off the table I The rotation of the cylinder 121 and of the worm 122 results in the contact of the driving edge 124 of the worm 122 with thecan 80. As the cylinder has a right hand rotation and the worm moves toward the guide 118, the can is forced into contact with the guide bar 120 and under action of the worm is removed to a capping and soldering machine at a suitable distance not shown. Fig. 8 shows clearly how the can 80 rests nearone edge on the top element of the cylinder 121 and is maintained in contact with the guide bar 120 and upon a shelf or ledge 140 on the guide bar 120. I contemplate the use of any other method to support the edge of the can 80 which rests upon the ledge 140.

The cylinder 121 is mounted on the power shaft 126 by being keyed thereto, and is rotated by said power shaft 126 turning in suitable bearings not shown. At the inner end of the shaft 126 and removably'keyed thereto is the bevel pinion 23 from which power is delivered to the large bevel gear 24 as previously described. The connection between the shaft 126 and the cylinder '121 comprises a hub 127 slotted to receive the key 128, which extends into a suitable slot in the shaft 126, and four arms 129 which join the hub 127 to the rim of the cylinder 121.

The cylinder 121, its worm 122' and the shaft 126 are in fact parts of a capping ma chine not shown and in utilizing the shaft 126 to drivethe can filling machine I have effected a substantial saving in space and also of parts necessary to drive the can filling machine. I have also made it possible to unite the can capping machine and the can filling machine so that there is no variationin speed of delivery from the can filling to the can capping machine, and the can filling machine is so constructed that it works to sup ply the capping machine to its utmost ca-' pacity. Between the filler and capping machine there is a minimum distance over which the cans must move, thus an additional saving is produced.

Vhile in the foregoing a preferred form of mechanism operating the dog 112 has been described whereby the movement of the valve 56 may be effected or omitted, another means for moving said valve has been devised by me which I will now describe. Reference to Fig. 9 will show a bracket 130 secured by bolt 131 to a portion 86 of the frame ofthe machine. 1

A stud 133 which may be provided with a head or nut on top is fixed in the bracket 130 and forms a pivot for the lever 134 formed on its end with a dog 135. A stud 136 carries a roller 137 which will contact with the outer surface of the internal channel 116in the clip or guide 113. By the pin 138 in the slot 139 the arm 134 is limited in itspivotal movement. The foregoing described construction is located so that'the dog 135 is normally in the path of the detent 60and is locked in contact therewith when the clip 113 swings over the roller 137. When the clip has entirely passed said roller, the' dog 135 slips off the detent 60 and stays in the position -where the dog clears the detent. In order to accommodate any displacement of the lever 134 a lip 115 on the clip 113 is formed with a sloping surface to guide the roller 137 into the channel in the next clip on the following measuring device. A positive actuation of the plate 56 is thus obtained to open the discharge aperture at one point and chine.

-to close it on the opposite side of the ma- The operation of the ,can filling machine invented by me is as follows:

The soup or material to be filled into the cans is brought to and deposited in the rotating reservoir and passes through the out off plate therein into the measuring devices just before the point in the travel where it is to be dropped into an empty can. Adjacent the point of travel at which the material to be canned drops down into the measuring device, the empty cans are fed into the rotating tableand into position in the pocket which carries the can through its path and to the point of departure thereof from the rotating table into the supplemental can conveyer. 1

' Just after the time when the can has been can is therefore under the measure substan- The can and tially of rotation, the contents therefore being allowed to drop from the measure. At a point practically diametrically opposite to the outer edge of the table, and finally passes entirely off of the table. During this interval the measure is returning to the point in its travel where the opening in the cut off plate shall allow another discharge to be dropped thereinto.

At the moment when the rear edge of the can has left the table, the pointed end of the worm sweeps around behind it and thereafter continues in contact with the lower edge of the can. The rotation of the worm I is such as to continually maintain the can against the guideway referred to which has at its lower edge a shelf or ledge upon which one portion of the bottom of the can rests while an almost diametrically opposite por' tion rests upon the cylindrical surface of thecan removing worm. Under the continued action of the thread on the worm the cans are advanced through a short travel to a can capping mechanism at which point the cans are sealed. From thispoint the cans are passed to be processed and then labeled and packed.

Although in the foregoing I have described with some particularity the particular construction present in the drawings, it should nevertheless'be understood that I do not'in any way limit my invention to that which has been referred to as I contemplate many other forms of apparatus which are necessarily included by the description and which are considered by me as not being departures from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. In a can filling machine, the combination of a can conveying device, a rotating table, means to receive a can and move it through said filling machine, a container for the material to be filled, a measuring device therefor, a rotary plate "alve thereon, and substantially fixed means interposed in the path of the valve member to cause an intermittent movement in said valve always in the same direction.

2. In a can filling machine, thecombination of a rotating reservoir, a fixed apertured cut off plate, measuring devices attached to said rotating reservoir and filled therefrom, an apertured rotary valve on said measuring device with detent means thereon, a substantially fixed member adjacent the path of said valvemember'whereby the valve member shall be intermittently rotated, a can carrying table, a can pusher member and can removing means interposed in the path 7 member maybe intermittently rotated, and,

a second substantially fixed means interposed in the path of a detent upon said rotary valve whereby said valve shall be moved I to a closed position, a cam carrying table,

a can pusher member and can removing means interposed in the path of the cans coacting with the pusher member to remove the cans from said table and a can conveyer for transferring the output of the can filling machine away therefrom.

y 4. Ina can filling machine, the combination of a rotating reservoir, a fixed apertured cut off plate, measuring devices attached to said rotating reservoir and filled therefrom,

an apertured rotary valve on said measuring device, detent means thereon, said valve member comprising two outer plate members and an inner plate member provided with spaced apertures positioned to move between said other plate members, connecting means for holding said plate members in intimate contact and for taking up the wear thereof and a removable nozzle member interposed in an aperture therefor in the lower plate member, a can carrying table, a pusher bar arranged thereabove, substantially fixed means located in the path of the detent means on said rotary valve and adapted to engage therewith whereby therotary valve may be intermittently moved to opened and closed positions, means for supplying empty cans and transfer mechanism for removing the filled cans.

5. In a can filling machine in combination, a rotary reservoir, a stationary cut off plate therein having a discharge aperture, a meas= uring device on said reservoir having a dlscharge orifice and a valve therefor adjacent an exit opening therein comprising a relatively fixed top plate-member formed to receive adjustable retaining means for said valve, a lower plate member fitted to said top plate having spaced apertures co-acting with the discharge orifice of the measuring device, detent members upon said lower plate, a substantially fixed dog interposed in the path thereof whereby contact" may be made with said detent members, a third plate member connected to the upper plate having an aperture therein co-acting with the discharge orifice of the reservoir and means to move the reservoir and measuring charge from the reservoir and later moved to close the discharge orificeof the measuring device.

6. In a can filling machine in combination, a rotatingreservoir, a fixed out 01f plate therein, a frame for holding said parts, a discharge orifice in-said reservoir, a valve comprising relatively fixed members and a rotary member, detents on said, valve, a dog member on said frame, a controller therefor comprising a pair of cooperating star wheels, a lever pivoted at one end and having a roller thereon adjacent the smaller star wheel whereby said lever-may be moved thereby, said lever having a slotted end, abell crank lever having an extended verti- "cal pivot carried by brackets on said frame and having its lower branch engaging the slotted lever while the upper branch forms 'the dog member, a flexible retaining member joined to said upper branch, anti-friction means on said upper and second branch and a guide member fastened to a non-rotating portion of said valve having a channel therein through which said anti-friction member contact therewith by said flexible member passes whereby the dog member is placed in operative contact with the detent on the rotary part of said valve and removed from when said guide member has passed said dog member.

7. In a can filling machine in combination, a frame, a IBSBI'VOLI' held thereon, a cut off valve in said reservoir, a measuring device on said reservoir, a valve for the lower end of said measuring device, a casing therefor, detent members on said valve, a guide member' carried by said casing, a bracket on said frame, a dog member thereon disposed in the path of said detent member and antifriction means on said dog cooperating with said guide to maintain the dog and detents in contact during the movement of the measuring device whereb the valve is moved during the interval o time in which the dog and detentare in contact.

8. Ina can filling machine in combination, a reservoir, an axis about which said reservoir rotates, a measuring device and a valve therefor comprising three plate members two of which move only about the axis of the reservoir while the third member has a movement about said axis and alsoabout its own axis, a can carrying table below said valve and means for supplying and remeving cans to and from, saidcan carrylng table.

9. In a can filling machine, the combination of a rotatable reservoir provided with outlet orifices in the bottom thereof, a stationary cut-off plate provided with an aperture located in said reservoir, measuring devices connected to said reservoir beneath said orifice and movable relative to said plate whereb said measuring devices are periodically lled through said orifice and said aperture, a can carrying table operative to successively move cans beneath said measuring devices, rotating outlet valves for said measuring devices, projections on said outlet valves, means adapted to engage said projections for intermittently rotating said outlet valves into closed and opened positions and means adapted to render said ing means, means for automatically opening and closing communication between said holding means and said cans, means engageable by said cans for controlling the operation of said last mentioned means, said engageable means including rotary members adapted to be engaged and rotated by said cans and rotary means carried by said rotary members for rotation therewlth, means engageable by said rotary means and with said opening and closing means, whereby said rotary means and said .enga eable means operate said opening and said closing means upouthe presence .of a can and remaln inoperatlve upon the-absence of a can. 7

11. In a can filling machine, the combination of a reservoir provided with orifices," a

cut-off plate provided with an aperture located in said reservoir, said reservoir and plate being relatively rotatable, valved measuring devices adapted to receive the contents of the reservoir through 'said orifices and said aperture when in registration, a can carrying member, means for holding cans in place thereon, a frame member for supporting said parts, a detent member thereon, projections on said valved measuring devices adapted to be engaged by said detents and means engageable by said cans for. rendering said'detents operative to engage said projections.

12. In a can filling machine, the combination of a reservoir provided with orifices, a

measuring device provided with a discharge aperture and adapted to communicate with said reservoir through said orifices, a valve for said discharge aperture, said valve complates, the interior member of said series being formed to close contact with the adjacent members and to rotate relative thereto, a substantially stationary detent there-- for and contact means thereon adapted to be engaged by said detent whereby said interior valve member is rotated to intermittently open and close the discharge aperture on said measuring device In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of'January, A. D. 1918.

JOHN SCHMIDLJR. 

